[avalon] IC Inbox

[emet_sulk]

I am currently not available at the moment.
If you were directed here by Hythlodaeus, kindly inform him that any messes he creates are his responsibility to clean up.

If this is Hythlodaeus: Please act like a bureau chief for once in your life and stop referring complaints to me.


(A place for private network messages or overflow threads from Isle of Avalon!)

Comments

[mayoninofukucho]

The one the traders sell has a temporary effect, doesn't it?

[He only knows of the pricey Soulfire Stone with its 10-minute limit - that wouldn't be enough for the venture.]

Honestly, we can't be sure that the quest-giver won't simply scam us, but that's precisely why we need your potion. I'm not going to die for some apple juice in a fancy bottle!

[emet_sulk]

[ He wrinkles his nose. ]

Well, I trust you not to misuse it. I only placed the restriction a repeat of that poison challenge is not attempted. What is your plan though, exactly? What if the one you are trying to trick decides to drive a sword through your heart to be sure? Or cut your head off for a trophy?

[mayoninofukucho]

We'll be taking Walter along.

[He says that as if there's no further explanation necessary - and he really assumes that to be the case. While he doesn't know Walter all that well the boy has proven reliable and competent (also in situations Hijikata wasn't directly involved in but heard about), and beyond that he simply trusts his gut instinct. Knowing that Emet-Selch and Walter also seen to know each other and be allies or business partners or friends - on good terms, in any case - definitely helps solidify the decision.]

[emet_sulk]

[ The inclusion of Walter immediately has him straightening. ]

Ahh... So you will be having a known hunter stage a fight with his victim, and have them turn in the 'corpse'?

[ It's a simple idea. It would also be an effective one if Emet-Selch didn't suspect that a smart quest-give would ask for certain proof of death. Something like a decapitated head or an arm ripped off.

Drumming his fingers on the counter, he suddenly asks: ]

Do you have fake blood prepared? A mummer's kit to model scars and other wounds?

[mayoninofukucho]

No, we're taking an easier route. We'll stage it as a poisoning by Ereshkigal - I don't know if you know her, but she's the main character in this plot, really. Walter will pose as her accomplice who helps her move my "corpse" around and all.

[No one shall be able to claim that Ereshkigal doesn't deserve the reward because Walter dealt the killing blow or something! Who knows how senselessly specific those dark-webbers may lay out their requirements?]

So no injuries should be expected, and the lack of other signs of life should be sufficient. If the bastard does want my head, then Walter just has to make a good show of wanting to hang up the trophy himself.

[And in the worst case he'll just have to slice them up. There's still a risk - if they end up dealing with a truly skilled and unscrupulous person all of them will be in mortal danger -, but Hijikata feels that the plan is as solid as it gets.]

[emet_sulk]

Hmm, I see. But even poisons leave the body in a particular state. Is this Ereshkigal prepared to answer as to what poison she will pretend to have used on you?

[ He's perhaps being too meticulous about the plan, but it IS quite a gamble they're taking with an unscrupulous individual. Rising from his seat, he goes to fetch the potion from its locked cabinet in the back room, calling out from within: ]

Men don't simply fall over, you know. Poisons can arrest the nervous system, paralyse the muscle, asphyxiate the victim... Even the fastest acting ones leave their mark. This concoction I have here simply suspends your vital signs and does little else so you will need a little staging to be truly convincing.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Of course Emet-Selch thinks even further than him... Hijikata won't try to scramble for a smart retort when admitting his lack of knowledge will be more fruitful. He stays at the counter - he's still here as a customer, after all, and they can carry on the conversation without having to yell.]

Which poison would you suggest she claim she used?